Jefferson Parish School Board members defend public information officers

For more than six months, the two people who run the Jefferson Parish school system's public information office have been on edge, worried that the board would dissolve their jobs under a measure by board member Mark Morgan.

The Times-PicayuneBeth Branley, left, and Jeff Nowakowski run the Jefferson Parish School Board's public information office.

But Wednesday night, they breathed a little easier when several board members came to their defense.

"It's a clear unfairness to have people's employment hanging in limbo," board President Michael Delesdernier said during an executive committee meeting at Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School in Kenner. "I think there is value in that office. I don't see it going away."

Morgan proposed the measure in July after the public information staff -- Jeff Nowakowski and Beth Branley -- posted on the school system's website a five-page response to a television report on central office salaries. The posting aimed to correct what Nowakowski and Branley labeled as inaccuracies, including several from Morgan himself.

After the posting, Morgan called the website a "propaganda machine" for Superintendent Diane Roussel, whom he also wants to fire. He said he wanted to dissolve the department and use the money to rehire teachers who were laid off at the end of the 2009-10 school year.

The department's budget is $199,000, which covers salaries, equipment, printing and public relations campaigns.

Morgan's measure has been up for consideration several times but tabled repeatedly, either for further study or because Morgan was not present for the vote. The teachers whose jobs Morgan wanted to save have since been recalled to work because of other retirements and resignations.

Last week, the new board referred the proposal to its executive committee. Morgan did not attend Wednesday's committee meeting but told Delesdernier he wants the item back on the board's agenda in March.

"They are crucial in the undertakings that we will be confronted with in the next few months," board member Etta Licciardi said. "I'm not saying that there isn't a revamping in order, but the dissolving of this department is certainly not on my horizon."

Board member Pat Tovrea, another newcomer, agreed: "I'm in full support, especially with the upcoming items that we will be faced with."

Delesdernier apologized to Nowakowski and Branley for the uncertainty of the past six months.

"It's unfair for you to have to worry everyday as to whether you're going to have a job," he said. "The work of that department is so important but it's important that we get it done right."